Obama To Take Official Oath In Private Ceremony Sunday

President Barack Obama is set to be officially sworn in Sunday for his second term as president of the United States, ahead of Monday’s public events.

In a small and short ceremony at the White House, he will recite the constitutionally mandated oath for the third of four expected times during his time in office.

When Obama first took the oath on Jan. 20 four years ago, he and Chief Justice John Roberts tripped up over the wording, raising concerns about whether the constitutional requirements were fulfilled to the letter of the law. Roberts went to the White House the next day and administered it again in full.

The short Sunday ceremony will be held because the constitutionally mandated inauguration date of Jan. 20 falls on a Sunday, so Obama will take the oath a fourth and final time on Monday before hundreds of thousands of observers on the National Mall. The Monday ceremonies will include the president’s inaugural address, a luncheon with the president and members of Congress and the traditional inaugural parade and balls.

The oath of office for the president is set out in the Constitution.

Article II, Section 1, states as follows:”Before he enter on the execution of his office, he shall take the following oath or affirmation: — “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of president of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

Traditionally, two minor changes are made. First, the president taking the oath says his name after the first word (“I, Barack Hussein Obama”). And second, the phrase “so help me God” is added at the end.

The president will deliver his public inaugural address Monday on the East Front of the Capitol.